Job Details
Are you looking for an opportunity to serve your community while maintaining flexibility in your schedule? We're seeking individuals to join our fill-in pool as Court Security Officers on a Temporary/Part-time basis. This role offers the chance to contribute to the safety and security of our judicial system while accommodating your existing commitments.
* Position: Temporary/Part-time Court Security Officer (Fill-in Pool)
* Location: Benton County Courthouse
* Hours: As needed, no guaranteed hours
* Duration: Temporary/Part-time
Join us in upholding justice and ensuring the safety of our community's courtrooms. Apply today! Review the Job Description below to see if you meet the minimum qualifications
Job Description / Summary:
The Court Security Officers ensures the security for the circuit judge, officers of the court, the general public, and prisoners. He/she is responsible for supervising and maintaining order/security in the courtroom, administering oaths, and other incidental and related duties at the direction of the judge. Announce the opening of court, call witnesses for testimony, call cases and litigants for hearing and announce the close of court.
Protect the courtroom from violence, interruption and maintain general order in the Court.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
* Maintains order and decorum in the courtroom and/or facility.
* Provides security for the courtroom and has the authority to effect arrest in accordance with Arkansas Code.
* Applies knowledge of law enforcement methods and procedures to prevent incidents that may cause injury to an individual or disruption of the court proceedings.
* Monitors all suspicious objects and packages left or carried into the court facility
* Checks all public areas of the court facilities for suspicious or unlawful activity.
* Carry out all lawful orders issued by the circuit judge.
* Direct the opening and closing of the Courtroom facility.
* Provide basic first aid when required.
* Participate in controlling emergency situations such as fires or bomb threats.
* Secure the area during hostage situations.
* Remain in the courtroom to monitor and provide security during the proceedings, unless directed otherwise by the Judge.
* Remain positioned in the courtroom so as to be able to observe the actions of those in the courtroom and where the Judge can summon if needed.
* Assist TCA and Court Orders Clerk as needed.
* Serve Court Orders/Summons.
* Assist Judicial Protections Officers at Front Entrance as needed.
* Maintain quiet within the courtroom and immediate vicinity outside the proceedings, and allow conversations only to the extent they do not disrupt or distract from the proceedings.
* Upon direction from the Court, exclude witnesses from the courtroom.
* Take immediate action to quiet and/or control any disruption within the courtroom or the immediate vicinity outside the courtroom.
* Upon the conclusion of business each day, examine all areas of the Court and secure the courtroom.
* Prior to leaving, the Court Security Officers should check with the Judge and/or Case Coordinator.
* Assist agencies of the state and local governments with the development and adoption of security and emergency preparedness plans for the circuit courts.
* Assist in the development and provision of training and education on court security and emergency preparedness to judges, court employees, and court security officers.
* Conduct periodic assessments of state and local security and emergency preparedness plans for courts and note deficiencies and stress of improvements.
* Serve as the point of contact of state court security and emergency preparedness issues for the judicial branch of government.
Qualification Requirements:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
APPEARANCE & DEMEANOR
When on duty, the Court Security Officers will maintain a neat, well-groomed and professional appearance in dress prescribed by the Judge. The Court Security Officers shall conduct himself/herself both on and off duty so that his/her actions and conversations will not reflect adversely upon the integrity of his office, the Court or the officers of the Court. Assists in the efficient performance of the Court's functions in a dignified, diligent, cooperative and impartial manner. Will assist witnesses, litigants, counsel and the public with general information about courtroom procedures. The Court Security Officers shall not discuss the merits of any case; shall not attempt to give legal advice; shall not give the impression that he/she can or would influence the Court in any of its decisions.
FIREARMS AND PROTECTIVE GEAR
The incumbent shall carry an approved firearm and shall be proficient in the use of said weapon. The Court Security Officers must be certified through the Benton County Sheriff's Department to carry a firearm. In addition, the Court Security Officers must recertify, as required to carry a firearm. The Court Security Officers shall wear a protective vest when provided to him by the County. The person in this position must have the knowledge and the physical and mental stamina to fire weapons, must possess the ability to communicate effectively both orally and written often under adverse conditions; possess good judgment and good powers of observation and memory. Must complete the Taser Training/Certification Course through the Benton County Sheriff's Office before carrying a Taser electronic control device.
SPECIALIZED RESPONSIBILITIES
Domestic relations cases are probably the most sensitive in the judicial system. Many of the persons involved in domestic cases are under emotional stress. The Court Security Officers assigned must be constantly alert for emotional and/or violent outbursts and strive to maintain an even and objective demeanor and to maintain order. The Court Security Officers must be alert to situations for violence and attempt to quell them before they
escalate.
It is important that the Court Security Officers is aware of the type of cases on the daily docket and which cases require additional security or attention. It is the Court Security Officers' duty to arrange for additional personnel, through the cooperation of other Court Security Officers, security officers, or law enforcement agencies, as necessary. The Court Security Officers shall provide the daily docket to the Deputies at all entry points of the Courthouse.
The Court Security Officers shall be cognizant that in these cases hostility may often be directed at the lawyers, Court personnel and litigants. In cases of imminent conflict, the Court Security Officers shall immediately take action to neutralize the danger.
Self-defense and physical constraint procedures are also required.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Must have excellent communication skills. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Knowledge of Spanish is useful.
REASONING ABILITY
The Court Security Officers must be able to quickly assess and mediate potentially difficult situations. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
While the Court Security Officers does not have direct supervisory responsibility, he/she is responsible for the supervision of the courtroom and all those observing the court proceedings.
Education and/or Experience:
High school diploma or general education degree (GED); college hours in criminal justice or law enforcement is preferred; certified law enforcement officer or qualifications of a deputy sheriff and be commissioned by the Benton County Sheriff. Additional training in the areas of negotiations, controlled use of force, and threat identification and awareness is helpful. Must complete and maintain all training required by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision, and ability to adjust focus. The employee may need to restrain emotionally charged individual
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often exposed to stressful situations and occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.